In an exciting addition to the campus dining scene, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has introduced Olson’s Ice Cream, a beloved local business, to the Davies Center. The family-run ice cream shop, known for its artisan-crafted ice cream made in small batches for over 80 years, opened its doors on campus on September 4.
Johnny Arnold of Blugold Dining shared the university’s enthusiasm for the new offering. “We had been brainstorming about a fun new food option to offer students, and ice cream immediately came to mind,” he said. “After meeting with and accepting proposals from several vendors, Olson’s was selected as a perfect business for this partnership. Their plan was excellent, and Dan and Jeremy Hunt are Blugold alumni.”
For Olson’s Ice Cream, the partnership represents an opportunity to connect with the campus community in a meaningful way. Dan Hunt, co-owner of the business, expressed his excitement about the collaboration. “We are so grateful and excited to partner with UWEC,” he said. “We look forward to creating ‘sweet memories’ with students, faculty, administration, parents, and families for many years to come.”
The ice cream parlor’s arrival follows a successful initial phase, where high sales of pint-sized ice cream at the campus T-Store and record-breaking sales at several campus events demonstrated strong demand. This success prompted the decision to establish a dedicated location for students and the broader campus community to enjoy a full ice cream parlor experience.
Located next to the entrance of the Davies Center Marketplace food court, the new parlor has quickly become a popular spot. Kristin Fitzsimmons, director of University Centers, shared her excitement about the shop’s debut and the specialty flavors being developed. “It’s been really fun,” she said. “They launched the shop with a flavor just for us, called Blugold Batter. It’s yellow cake batter-flavored ice cream with blue sprinkles. They are also very interested in creating a specialty Chancellor flavor ice cream next spring, based on his favorite combo flavor.”
Blugold Dining has also made it convenient for students to purchase Olson’s Ice Cream by allowing meal plans and Diner’s Club dollars to be used for both pints at the T-Store and scoops at the parlor, ensuring that students can easily access this local favorite.
With the addition of Olson’s Ice Cream, UW-Eau Claire continues to enhance its dining options, offering students a taste of a beloved regional treat while fostering connections with local businesses.
